Things To Watch As We Move To February’s First Weekend

THE BIGGEST EVENT of the weekend might be nowhere near an indoor track, as Tallahassee’s Apalachee Regional Park will host the USATF XC Championships. The races will be choosing Team USA for March’s World Champs.

For the first time, women are matching the men and running the same 10K distance, and they’re doing it with a field that is absolutely packed: Shelby Houlihan, Amy Cragg, Courtney Frerichs, Marielle Hall, Molly Huddle, Aliphine Tuliamuk, Laura Thweatt, Karissa Schweizer, Shannon Rowbury, Rachel Schneider and more. Houlihan, our reigning U.S. Women’s Athlete Of The Year, posted on Instagram, “Has it really been 4 years since my last cross country race? I’m switching things up and opening up my season at the USATF Cross Country Championships this Saturday in Tallahassee, FL. First time racing a 10k. Why not do it on the grass? This should be fun.”

Most of the U.S. team that raced at the last Worlds (Kampala ’17) is back, along with some pretty solid track talent. Throw in some names we haven’t seen over hill and dale in recent years (Huddle, Rowbury, Houlihan) and we could see some hot performances on the speedy course. Unlike much of the rest of the country, Tallahassee should see nice weather, with temps in the mid-50s at race time and a 30% chance of rain.

Other events to watch this weekend:

Karlsruhe World Indoor Tour

A top international field will generate headlines from the IAAF meet in Germany. Young long jump phenomenon Juan Miguel Echevarría will open up his season. Dafne Schippers and Mujinga Kambundji will clash over 60. The vault will feature another tussle between Katie Nageotte and Katerína Stefanídi, who have split their two previous meetings this year.

Husker Invitational

The 44th annual in Lincoln is bringing together some top collegiate talent, including squads from Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri and Stanford, in addition to the hosts. Husker frosh George Kusche, who ran 3:58.96 in South Africa last winter, will attempt to be the first Husker to break 4:00 on a 200 track. Georgia’s double NCAA champ Denzel Comenentia will highlight the throws and Lynna Irby will run the 200.

Camel City Elite

With bonuses offered for flat-track world records, organizers have attracted some strong fields. The women’s 800 will feature Ajee’ Wilson and Raevyn Rogers, along with prep phenom Athing Mu. The men’s 800 will bring us Clayton Murphy and Drew Piazza. The mile will feature a battle between Edward Cheserek and Nick Willis.

Thomas Invitational

Arkansas, Houston, Texas and TCU are among the schools that will battle with host A&M. Cameron Burrell will run the 60. Bralon Taplin is set to run the 300.

Power 5 Invitational

Michigan will host Wisconsin, Louisville, Minnesota & Indiana, among others. Expect to see a solid 800 with comebacking NCAA 1500 champ Jamie Phelan of Canada taking on Shannon Osika and new Wolverine find Aurora Rynda (1:29.55 for 600 two weeks ago). Sharon Lokedi of Kansas will headline a solid field in the mile, while Louisville’s Dorcas Wasike should lead the 3000.

Virginia Tech Elite

Florida will be among the schools attending. Will we see more surprises from Grant Holloway, fresh off a 60 PR of 6.51 last weekend? Or will he take a rest from what has already been a busy season?

Jeff Hollobaugh is a writer and stat geek who has been associated with T&FN in various capacities since 1987. He is the author of How To Race The Mile. He lives in Michigan where he can often be found announcing track meets in bad weather.